Fluorescent Phosphorus Dendrimers and Their Role in Supramolecular Interactions

Several types of phosphorus-containing dendrimers bearing fluorescent derivatives in their structures are reviewed. The fluorescent groups can be used as terminal groups, or at the core, or linked to the core or to the branches of the dendritic structure. The types of fluorescent entities used are pyrene, dansyl, phthalocyanine, maleimide, julolidine, rhodamine, and fluoresceine derivatives. Some of these compounds possess interesting properties as chemical sensors, and for monitoring their penetration inside human cells.